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FOUR YEARS LATER

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Another day, another dream.
Every passing day brings a new young, bright eyed boy to the city, looking forward to adventure, and enjoyment. Few leave in such a fashion. Today brings a boy of the usual variety. He was bright eyed, hair grown in the popular style, dyed in a dead one. He walks into town, jeans reluctantly upon the hips, a little too baggy, shirt a little too tight. The thwap of his sneakers echoed off of the cities cobblestones, bouncing from brick house to brick house. It is early in the morning, and he had spent the night in the woods just outside of the city. As they all are at the beginning, too broke for a place to stay, so they decide to stay outdoors for their nights. It doesn't stay that way for most of them though. The wilds these days seem to make or break a young man. Upon his hip lies his weapon of choice, his very reason for being there, like all the rest. He checks the shop, he checks the centre, and makes his final preparation. For tonight is the first step. Tonight is the first real challenge.
Tonight is the fight that will give him the right to be free.

The air is dry here observes the young man. Being just behind the mountains, the rain must be stopped directly on the other side of the peaks. It would be wise to remember, and use this to his advantage, but he knows that he can't. It's all downhill from here, thinks he, as he walks upwards toward the gym, towards his destiny.

The windows are dark, which is strange, considering it seems to be about mid-day, and usually they are in full swing, preparing for the days training and competition.

I guess it's not exactly like home after all, he thinks. The air is dirtier here, but cleaner at the same time. It has lightness to it that he can't quite figure out. Just then he saw a young girl playing about in the front yard of a nearby home. What have I got to lose, he thinks to himself, and walks over to her.

"Excuse me, little girl. Do you know that building over there" says the young man, gesturing towards the gym.

"Yeah, that's where big brother works"

"Big brother, huh? Why isn't he working right now?"

"Big brother is in the hospital right now, so he can't work for a while"

"The hospital, huh? What happened to him, do you know?"

"He was walking down the street; when he saw my friend lose her ball onto the street. She went to go get it when a HUGE truck that was THIS big came up the street. My brother ran over to try to save her. That's what happened"

"Is your friend alright?"

"Yep, she's fine. Big brother will be fine too soon enough, just you wait and see."

"I don't exactly have time to wait. Can you tell me where the hospital is?"

"I don't know where it is. It's pretty far. But Big brother knows, I'll go get him"

"Huh, I thought he was- oh, hello, you must be this girls older brother"

"Yes I am" said the older brother. He was about the same age as the young man. He was fairly tanned and looked well-muscled for a man of his age, the signs of early work and labour.

"Can you take me to the hospital; I would like to see your brother"

"Oh, Brock? Oh yeah, sure. I'm Brick, by the way. So what do you want with my brother?"

"I'm a trainer, and I'm here to challenge him for his badge. It's nice to meet you Brick, my names Brett."

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The hospital was a tall building, designed the same as every other in this town. Every wall was flat and without blemish, almost without fault, seeming to flow perfectly from the very ground upon which it stands, as though it erupted from the ground in that very spot. The only difference between the hospital and every other building was its immense size. It was 24 stories high, and just as wide. It's a wonder that anyone can survive at that altitude, not to mention be healed.

"So, this is where your brother is, huh. Thanks for the help. I'll take it from here. You can get back to what you were doing. What were you doing, by the way? Shouldn't you have a job or something?"

"I could say the same to you. Shouldn't you have a job?"

"I do."

"Then what are you doing challenging gym leaders?"

"None of your business." and with that said, Brett walked quickly into the building. The first thing he noticed was the temperature. It was quite cool outdoors, and the temperature indoors was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. At least they keep the patients comfortable with the temperature, if not with the amount of air. He walks up to the front desk, where behind sits a gorgeous woman, probably no older than 19 years. Cute face, luscious lips, long dark hair, and, well, the well-proportioned pair of breasts didn't hurt either. Brett walks up to her, with all intention to ask where brock is. But instead ...

"Hello Nurse!"

"Actually I'm just the receptionist here. Can I help you with something?"

"Yes you can. And that would be by writing your phone number down on that piece of paper right there and giving it to yours truly"

Brett smiled his most charming smile. The receptionist didn't.

"Look here, mister. I am not just some piece of ass waiting around to be picked up by any old ass hole off the street. Especially by the likes of you" and she slapped him.

"Having a rough day, huh?" said Brett, rubbing the newly slapped cheek.

"Shut up! Besides, I'm already spoken for. I've got a date tonight, real sweet guy, nothing like you. So why did you come here, anyway, other than to harass me."

"Oh yeah, can you tell me where Brock is? I need to talk to him very badly. You have no idea how important this is."

"Hmm, looks like Brock is just 'Mr. Popular today,' the last guy was asking for him too," she said with a sigh."18th floor, room number 6"

"Thanks a lot, miss crazy" he muttered beneath his breath.

He went to the elevator, pressed the button and sat down to wait. So he waited. And he waited. And he waited. And noticed the "Out of Order" sign on the floor just in front of the elevator

"F***" he muttered. "This is just my luck "

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When Brett finally climbed all 18 flights of stairs; he had stop and take a breather. Normally he could have taken such a climb, but not at this height. The air was too thin. His lungs felt like they wanted to leap out of his chest, his heart pumping like a tire pump on crack, and his thighs filled with hot coals. It was like his body had formed a union against his will, and was threatening torture if current conditions held up. As he was getting the workers back in line, a man walked up to him.

"Bro, are you alright?"

"Yeah.(huff) I've been (huff) worse,(huff) this is all(huff)(huff) I'm used to it (huff)"

"Alright. Is there any reason why you came up the stairs so quickly, when there's an elevator right there?"

"It (huff) doesn't work (huff)"

"No, the one BESIDE it doesn't work. This elevator's perfectly fine, though. Look for yourself."

"What are you (huff) talk-. . . (huff) s**t, you're right"

"You should look before you leap, buddy. Now, what would possess you to run up all these stairs?"

"I need (huff) to see (huff) somebody"

"Well, I wish you luck in your endeavors. Now seeing you after your mad dash up makes me want to try the mad dash down, so if you'll excuse me, I'll be-"

"Wait (huff) a sec. What's your (huff) name?"

"Oh, the name's Will"

"Well, Will, you're a good guy. My name is-"

"Oh-pah-pah-pah, don't tell me your name. I'll just forget it anyways, I'm terrible with names. And forever I will think of you only by your actions and words, rather than your name, isn't that so much more exciting! To live by your heart. Besides, is not a rose by any other name still just as sweet." said this strange man will, almost as though he'd done it a thousand times before. "And now I bid you, ADIEU", he screamed the final word as he began his race to the lobby. What a strange person.

As he stood straight to continue onwards towards room 6, he could have sworn he heard a whisper of laughter coming from both before and behind him.

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Brett stopped, and stood for a moment before the door to room 06. Behind this door not only lied the gym leader of Pewter City, but it also contained the hope for a future. With this in mind, Brett opened the door. What he saw was not shocking at all. What he saw could have been just any old man in his mid-20's, with tan skin, like that of Brick, and brown hair falling just past his eyes. The odd thing about his is that he wore a dark green house coat, going just passed his knees, where is revealed his leg, bound within a cast. By the looks of it he had just barely recovered from a bout of laughter. As he saw the door open, he sobered up the last of his chuckles in a hurry.

"And who might you be?" asked Brock, chuckles still returning to him, periodically, as though he had just remembered a good joke.

"Hi, I'm Brett. I sort of have to talk to you about something. It's really important."

"I've had enough requests for challenges today, and I don't intend to take any more."

"I'm not leaving until you hear me out."

"Did you not notice that this is a hospital? Did you see my cast? I'm in this hospital for a reason, you know."

"I need to talk to you" says Brett with finality.

There was a long pause, and Brock sighed. "Go ahead," said Brock, suddenly sounding very tired. "Say what you need to say"

"If I can't face you soon . . . people will die" Brett said, as tears started coming to his eyes.